Second day of conclave begins to elect the next pope

This photograph shows a presumption of clouds implicit the obelisk of St Peter's Square connected the 2nd time of the conclave, successful the Vatican connected May 8, 2025. Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images

VATICAN CITY — The 2nd time of the conclave to elite a caller pope began connected Thursday, arsenic 133 Catholic cardinals are re-entering the Sistine Chapel, wherever the concealed balloting is held.

Wednesday, the archetypal time of the conclave, ended with black fume streaming from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that the cardinals had not chosen a caller pontiff to win the precocious Pope Francis. A two-thirds bulk ballot is needed for election.

By tradition, determination was 1 circular of voting connected Wednesday. On Thursday and the days pursuing determination volition beryllium 4 rounds of voting each time — 2 successful the greeting and 2 successful the day — until a caller pope is elected.

As the conclave began, St. Peter's Square was draped successful sunlight, shimmering down the dome of the basilica. People gathered successful tiny groups to chat arsenic they waited for the famed fume to waft from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Some positioned themselves successful the shadiness oregon sat connected the ground.

The assemblage was made up of radical of each ages, and antithetic languages. Clergy and laity, faithful and curious, novice and seasoned attendees each packed into the world's tiniest state to beryllium a portion of the humanities moment.

Even though onlookers expected achromatic fume connected the archetypal evening of the conclave, pilgrim Ceci Triska said determination was a consciousness of "quiet anticipation" among the crowd. Triska came with a radical of friends from Texas. She said she didn't person a favourite imaginable pope successful mind, but alternatively was looking for higher guidance. "We've been praying for the Holy Spirit to instrumentality over. Whatever God's will, it's going to beryllium great," Triska said.

Black fume streaming from a chimney of the Sistine Chapel signals the cardinal electors person not reached statement connected the adjacent pope. White fume signals the cardinals person elected a caller pope.

Patrizia Silveri was calved successful Rome and said she hopes for an Italian pope. "The pope is similar household for the Roman citizens," said Silveri. "And truthful we see the pope arsenic our business."

Mireia Mejias is simply a 20-year-old pupil from Spain who is studying successful Italy. As a young Catholic, she said she is hoping the caller pope volition travel successful Francis' legacy.

"I anticipation that the adjacent pope is besides a person for non-Catholics. Because for me, Christ is cosmopolitan and the religion should beryllium universal," said Mejias.